Format question

[longknife]

 
Question -
   Most agents ask for a proposal, synopsis, and first five pages of the mss.
   They want 12 point Times New Roman.  I have no doubt that the query letter and synopsis should be single-spaced.
   But - what about the mss?
   Do they want the first five pages in single space - but sent double spaced?
      or
   Do they want the first five double-spaced pages?

[audal]

They want the first five double-spaced pages .  If you write it single-spaced, reformat it to double when you're finished, then send those five pages.  Granted, it's a shorter sample than you may want to send, but the truth is, we writers should be grateful that we even get that.

[coll]

   I always thought the query should be double spaced too. No?


  Coll

[Emeraldsky]

I have the impression that a query letter (as well as a cover letter) should be single spaced.

[elknutswife]

From my understanding the query letter is single spaced, formatted like a business letter.  When it comes to the synopsis I'd check the agents websites.  Some that I have looked into have requested double spaced, some single, and if they just give you a maximum page number (like- send a synopsis no longer than 10 pages) than double space if possible, just for easier reading. 

[audal]

Rare is the chance to say something with unequivocal 110% certainty... But here is just such a chance.

Query letters should be single-spaced.  Always.  Cross my heart.  Swear upon my manuscript.

[Emeraldsky]

I would have sworn too, but I just couldn't.   

[audal]

I would have sworn too, but I just couldn't.   

My original post read:
  Query letters should be single- -spaced. Always. Cross my heart.  Swear upon my   manuscript.

Thought it best to trim it a bit.  Brevity & such.

[Lotheus]

That's what we love about Audal.  He's not afraid to use profanity.  Well, bleeped profanity, but it was vulgar nonetheless.   

[Jessica V.]

Hmmm - this is an interesting question. Research I have done recently led me to believe that ONLY the query should be single spaced. The synopsis and the ms should both be double spaced. Of course there's conflicting information everywhere out there. Hope it's not a problem though. I sent out my partial in that format... 
---Jessica V.